Toxic algae blooms not in eastern Lake Erie

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The toxic algae blooms in western Lake Erie that led to a shut down of the public water supply in Toledo, Ohio for a weekend have not reached the Buffalo area.

That’s according to the Erie County Health Department, which this week tested a dozen spots, including four samples at two public water intakes.

The health department says that microcystin, the toxin released from some algae blooms, was not detected at any of the 12 spots.

Sites tested were: Sturgeon Point intakes (2), Buffalo intakes (2), Hamburg Beach, Woodlawn Beach, Evans (Lake Erie Beach, Evans Town Park, Bennett Beach, Wendt Beach), Brant (Evangola), and Buffalo Harbor.

The microcystin toxin can cause liver damage, and if it gets on the skin, it can cause blisters and rashes. Drinking water with the toxin in it also can cause vomiting, fever, and stomach pain, among other problems.

“Erie County residents and all Western New Yorkers can rest easier knowing that microcystin is not a cause for concern locally, and that it is safe to drink our water, go to our beaches, and enjoy Lake Erie as we should,” said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein in a prepared statement.

(As a side note, I wouldn’t say it’s always safe to go swimming at some of the local beaches. There is a problem with sewer overflows and fecal bacteria that result in beach closings, especially at Woodlawn Beach.)

The fact that the toxic blooms have not reached this side of the lake should not be surprising. That’s because eastern Lake Erie’s water moves faster and it is deeper and colder, all conditions that do not easily support the algae blooms.

With that said, some Western New York waterways have been struck with blue-green algae notices, and the DEC has confirmed the presence of blooms which may produce toxins in Chautauqua Lake and the Allegheny Reservoir.

In fact, the Chautauqua County Health Department this week has closed six beaches along Chautauqua Lake due to the blue-green algae blooms.

Those beaches are:

• Bemus Point Beach
• Heinz (Chautauqua Institution)
• Children’s (Chautauqua Institution)
• College Pier (Chautauqua Institution)
• University (Chautauqua Institution)
• Lakewood Village Beach

Below is the list of waterbodies in New York that have confirmed blooms (not all blooms produce the toxin):